University of Maryland

About the University of Maryland

The University of Maryland (UMD) is among the top-ranked public research institutions in the United States. We are the state of Maryland’s flagship institution and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) and the Big 10 Conference.

We have an unbeatable location just outside Washington, D.C., where you can take advantage of the vast cultural, internship and learning opportunities. The university is also just a short train or car ride to Baltimore or Annapolis.

Academics

Grab hold of your destiny. Work and study among visionaries and Nobel Prize winners. Create the next world-changing technology or company. Tackle our society’s great issues. Learn from and among the fearless 30,000 undergraduate students who come from over 123 different countries.

Here are some helpful facts:

90+ bachelor degree programs
12 colleges
18:1 student-faculty ratio
86% 6-year graduation rate
20% are first-generation
43% are students of color
19% are Pell recipients
$545 million in external research funding
400+ options to study abroad

Learn more about academics at UMD.

Resident Life

College is a big adjustment, and you will come to rely on the friendship and support you find in your roommate, suite-mates, floor-mates or from your Resident Assistant (RA). Nine out of 10 UMD freshmen live in the university’s residence halls. A full half of on-campus residents are in living-learning communities — providing a great chance to bond with students with similar interests.

Great experiences are the product of you applying your knowledge and skills and being open to learning life’s lessons. While living and learning together, we will help you shape the number of useful and positive experiences.

Explore UMD's Resident Life website for more information.

Campus Life

Great experiences at great universities don’t just happen. Campus life extends beyond the classroom, labs or studios. You won’t only find a new home at UMD, you’ll also be part of a close-knit community.

You’ll find campus life in residence halls, on the intramural fields, in the pool or on the rock-climbing wall. Attend a concert or movie screening on campus. Join one club—or 10!

Whatever your interests, UMD’s got a club for it. With more than 800 clubs and organizations, you are sure to find one that fits your needs. Make friends and be part of a community. Sharpen your leadership skills. Challenge yourself. Have fun.

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Form your own group! All you need is eight people with a shared interest. And you can always have fun attending the hundreds of cultural events, movies, lectures and concerts held on campus each year.

Admissions

To engage or find out more about UMD, you can follow us on social media @ApplyMaryland or visit our website, admissions.umd.edu

Deadline Information

For freshmen, the early action deadline is November 1. For transfer students applying for the fall, the early action deadline is March 1. UMD’s early action deadline is non-binding and students are encouraged to apply by this deadline to receive priority consideration for admission to the university, merit based scholarships and living-learning programs. Additional deadlines and decision release dates can be found by visiting go.umd.edu/appdeadline.

Required Application Materials

Our admission process has one mission: to identify applicants, who as individuals and as a group, will enrich and benefit from the campus learning environment and the entire student body. There are 26 factors that are considered during our holistic admissions review process for every applicant.

Review our Application Checklists for a full list of required application materials.

Finances

College is a major investment for you and your family. UMD has a long history of providing financial support to students of all economic backgrounds. We offer an array of programs (including scholarships, grants, loans and student employment) as part of our commitment to making an excellent education affordable. To be considered for need-based aid, you must annually complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For priority consideration, you must submit your FAFSA by January 1. Students who demonstrate the most need are considered for the most gift aid. Need-based aid can also be combined with merit scholarships.